7 Video Game Sequels That Mocked Mechanics Fans Hated
3. John Marston Can't Swim - Red Dead Redemption 2
MAJOR SPOILERS FOR RED DEAD REDEMPTION 2!
It might be a stretch to say that Rockstar were actively mocking themselves in this specific instance, but there's no way they chose to make sure that John Marston couldn't swim in Red Dead Redemption 2 without a knowing wink to the first game.
Marston is the protagonist of the first Red Dead Redemption, which released in 2010. Rockstar sort of had a thing for their characters not being able to swim, and John, were he ever unfortunate enough to find a body of water in the dry vestiges of New Austin, would drown if he entered.
Of course, Red Dead Redemption 2 (which is actually a prequel, titling conventions be damned) featured a new protagonist in Arthur Morgan, who could of course swim. Without any context it'd be easy to look at Morgan's aquatic competence as being just another area where the studio innovated on the previous entry, but when the perspective switches to John, he still can't swim.
Bear in mind the game is set over a decade before the events of the first game, and you have a logical, story-driven reason for why John can't swim. He couldn't in 1911, so he shouldn't be able to in 1907. It's just one of those things players had to laugh at, and no doubt something Rockstar had some fun with when they decided to keep John's inability to swim for the prequel.